Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford believes he can challenge for honours at next month's World Championships after earning late selection for the British team for Moscow.

Rutherford, 26, had to prove he had recovered from a 'massive' hamstring tear sustained in Paris three weeks ago before before his selection was confirmed.

Neither Rutherford or Chris Tomlinson, who share the British outdoor record, had jumped the ‘A’ qualifying standard this season, but British Athletics' selection panel favoured the Olympic champion despite his latest injury setback.

Jumping for joy: Greg Rutherford, who has been hit by injury since the Olympics, will compete at the World Championships in Moscow. He was the rank outsider when he won gold in 2012

Rutherford told Sportsmail: 'I would
never turn up to a major championships if I wasn’t fit. I’m not happy to
just go along for the ride. I want to win medals. It’s not about me
turning up to make up the numbers.

'I don’t want to say “I went to a World Championships”, I want to say “I won a World Championships”.

'It would be awful for me to tarnish
what happened last year at London 2012 by turning up to a World Champs,
telling everyone I’m fit and healthy – because that’s what I’m saying –
and then go out in qualification because my hamstring’s sore and I can’t
jump. That just makes you look like a mug.'

British Athletics performance
director Neil Black, who is also a physiotherapist, said: 'Greg has
shown a remarkable level of recovery during a short space of time,
something he has shown an aptitude for throughout his athletics career.

'Following the fitness tests and his
record of being able to produce a quality performance off minimal build
up, I am pleased to confirm his place in the British team.

Missing out: Chris Tomlinson, who came up short at the Anniversary Games, won't be in Moscow

'He’ll continue to work closely with
the support staff to maximise every additional moment in between now and
the 14th of August.'

Tomlinson could have guaranteed his
selection at last weekend's Sainsbury's Anniversary Games by jumping the
‘A’ standard of 8.25m, but could only manage two leaps of 7.99m and
four fouls.

The 31-year-old, however, believes he is in ‘better shape’ than Rutherford and could also have challenged for a medal in Moscow.

Tomlinson said on Saturday: ‘Obviously I am in better shape at the moment and I am jumping well, but that’s their decision.

‘I think on current form, on current
shape, I'd be on the team, but obviously he's got that (the Olympic
title) and that has to be taken into account.

‘I believe I could go there and get a medal, though, no doubt about that.’